Schlumbergera plant named &#39;THOR-PANDORA&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Schlumbergera  plant named ‘THOR-PANDORA’ particularly characterized by large upright to vertical flowers; freely flowering purple-violet colored flowers; large quantity of flowers per plant; and slow growth rate and freely branching growth habit.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Schlumbergera truncata

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘THOR-PANDORA’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Schlumbergera plant, botanically known as Schlumbergera truncata, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘THOR-PANDORA’.

Schlumbergera (formerly Zygocacatus) of the Cactaceae family, consists of 6 known species which are epiphytic cacti and native to Brazil. Common names for Schlumbergera plants include: Crab Cactus for the cultivar's claw-like phylloclade margin, Thanksgiving Cactus for cultivars which bloom in November, and Christmas Cactus for cultivars which bloom in December.

The new Schlumbergera cultivar is a product of a controlled breeding program conducted by the inventor, Jørgen Kurt ANDERSEN, in Fyn, Denmark. The objective of the breeding program was to develop a new Schlumbergera cultivar with upright plant habit, freely branching habit and large flowers with a unique color combination.

The new Schlumbergera cultivar originated from an outcrossing made by the inventor, Jørgen Kurt ANDERSEN, in 2001 in Fyn, Denmark. The female or seed parent is an unnamed, unpatented Schlumbergera truncata cultivar. The male or pollen parent is an unnamed, unpatented Schlumbergera truncata cultivar. The new Schlumbergera cultivar was discovered and selected by the inventor as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated outcrossing in a controlled environment in 2002 in Fyn, Denmark, on the basis of its flower color and freely branching habit.

Asexual reproduction of the new Schlumbergera cultivar by phylloclade cuttings taken and propagated, and followed by trial production batches, was first performed in 27^(th) Nov. 2001 in Fyn, Denmark, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘THOR-PANDORA’ which in combination distinguish this Schlumbergera as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Large upright to vertical flowers;

2. Freely flowering white and purple-violet colored flowers;

3. Large quantity of flowers per plant; and

4. Slow growth rate and freely branching growth habit.

Plants of the new Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-PANDORA’ differ from plants of the parental cultivars in the following characteristics:

Plants of the new Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-PANDORA’ are characterized by their many shoots/phylloclades.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-PANDORA’ is the Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-RITT’ (unpatented) in the following characteristics:

1. Plants of the new Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-PANDORA’ are taller and wider (height about 18 cm; spread about 20 cm) than the plants of the cultivar ‘THOR-RITT’ (height about 17 cm; spread about 19 cm).

2. Plants of the new Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-PANDORA’ have more lateral branches (about 14 when 3 phylloclade cuttings planted per plant) than plants of the cultivar ‘THOR-RITT’ (about 7 when phylloclade cutting planted per plant).

3. Plants of the new Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-PANDORA’ have thicker phylloclades (about 6 mm) than ‘THOR-RITT’ (about 4 mm; green).

4. Plants of the new Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-PANDORA’ have larger and more flowers (diameter about 5.5 cm and height about 7.5 cm; about 40 to 45 flowers) than the plants of the cultivar ‘THOR-RITT’ (diameter about 5.0 cm and height about 5.5 cm; about 30 to 40 flowers).

5. Plants of the new Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-PANDORA’ have larger purple-violet petals (28 mm in length and 17 mm in width) whereas plants of the cultivar ‘THOR-RITT’ has smaller purple petals (25 mm in length and 15 mm in width).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-PANDORA’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of ‘THOR-PANDORA’.

FIG. 1 shows a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘THOR-PANDORA’ grown in a 10.5 cm pots, at 30 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of mature flowers of ‘THOR-PANDORA’.

FIG. 3 shows a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘THOR-RITT’ grown in a 10.5 cm pot, at about 11 months of age.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-PANDORA’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘THOR-PANDORA’ as grown in a glass-covered greenhouse in Fyn, Denmark, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. Plants of ‘THOR-PANDORA’ are themo-photo-periodic and will develop buds and bloom best under short day conditions (less than 12 hours of sunlight for a period of 6 weeks) and cool night temperatures between 13° C. and 18° C. No growth retardants were used when growing plants of ‘THOR-PANDORA’.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (RHS), 4^(th) edition, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. The photographs and descriptions were taken during the Fall of 2005 in Fyn, Denmark, when outdoor day temperatures averaged 20° C. and outdoor night temperatures averaged 18° C. The age of the plants described is 20 weeks.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Schlumbergera truncata.         -   Common name.—Thanksgiving Cactus. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female or seed parent.—Unnamed, unpatented Schlumbergera             truncata.         -   Male or pollen parent.—Unnamed, unpatented Schlumbergera             truncata. -   Propagation: By phylloclade cuttings.     -   -   Time and temperature to initiate roots.—In a greenhouse,             about 30 days at 18° C. to 21° C.         -   Time and temperature to produce a rooted cutting.—In a             greenhouse, about 20 days at Rooting Habit and description:             Fine, well-branched and RHS 155B, white in color. -   Plant:     -   -   Type.—Perennial, Epiphyte.         -   Growth habit.—Initially erect and upright, becoming pendent             as lateral branches lengthen.         -   Branching habit.—Freely branching, with three or more new             phylloclades forming at the apex of older phylloclades.         -   Vigor.—Slow growth rate.         -   Crop time.—After rooting, about 10 months are required to             produce a finished flowering plant in an 11 cm pot.         -   Size at maturity.—Height (soil level to top of plant,             including flowers): About 18 cm. Spread: About 20 cm. -   Stem: None, older phylloclades may turn woody with age (several     years). -   Lateral branches:     -   -   Arrangement.—Phylloclades form at the apex of older             phylloclades to form branches.         -   Quantity.—About 14, when 3 phylloclade cuttings planted per             pot.         -   Length.—Primary: About 4 cm (1 phylloclade) Secondary: About             8.5 cm (2 to 3 phylloclades).         -   Width.—About 3.5 cm.         -   Aspect.—Upright to arching (from basal phylloclade).         -   Strength.—Strong (from basal phylloclade).         -   Appearance.—Shiny.         -   Pubescence.—None.         -   Color.—Green, RHS N138A. -   Phylloclade:     -   -   Arrangement.—Single and sequential.         -   Quantity per lateral branch.—About 3.         -   Length.—About 4.0 cm.         -   Width.—About 3.5 cm.         -   Thickness.—About 6 mm (center of phylloclade).         -   Overall shape.—Oval, truncated.         -   Apex shape.—Truncate with 2 protruding marginal teeth (about             8 to 9 mm in length), forming a claw-like shape.         -   Base shape.—Rounded.         -   Margin.—Serrated; about 4 teeth (5-7 mm in length).         -   Texture.—Glabrous, smooth.         -   Pubescence.—None.         -   Color of upper surface.—Immature: Yellow-green, RHS 146A.             Mature: Yellow-green, RHS 147A. Margin: Yellow-green, RHS             146A.         -   Color of lower surface.—Immature: Yellow-green, RHS 146B.             Mature: Yellow-green, RHS 147B. Margin: Yellow-green, RHS             146B.         -   Venation.—Pattern: Costate, prominent central vein. Color:             Upper surface: Yellow-green, RHS 146A. Lower surface:             Yellow-green, RHS 147B. -   Areole: Not true areole structure; tip of phylloclade is barbellate,     4-6 short hairs or bristles. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Arrangement and appearance.—Single, double or triple sessile             flowers borne on apical end of phylloclades. Flowers are             hose-in-hose and zygomorphic. When flowers are fully open,             they form a right angle to the phylloclade. Flowers             persistent; petals fold and wither slowly.         -   Natural flowering season.—Flowering occurs between October             and December (northern hemisphere), but can be changed             depending on short day photo-treatments.         -   Flowering response time.—About 8 to 9 weeks from planting.         -   Rate of flowers opening.—About 1 to 2 per week, depending on             temperature and light.         -   Flowering longevity (dependent on temperature and light             conditions).—About 5 to 6 days.         -   Fragrance.—None.         -   Quantity of flowers per lateral branch.—About 1 to 3.         -   Quantity of buds per lateral branch.—About 2.         -   Quantity of flowers and buds per plant.—About 40 to 45. -   Flower bud:     -   -   Length.—Ranging from 0 to 35 mm (before anthesis).         -   Width.—Ranging from 0 to 8 mm (before anthesis).         -   Shape.—Round to lanceolate.         -   Color.—Purple-violet, RHS N80B. -   Flower:     -   -   Type.—Single.         -   Shape.—Tubular, hose-in-hose triple perianth.         -   Aspect.—Initially facing upward, later facing outward (right             angle to phylloclade).         -   Persistent or self-cleaning.—Persistent, but drops after             withering. -   Corolla size:     -   -   Height.—About 7.5 cm (including ovary).         -   Diameter.—About 5 to 6 cm.         -   Tube length.—About 5 cm.         -   Tube diameter.—About 9 mm. -   Petals:     -   -   Quantity.—Apical Whorl: About 8; Basal whorl: About 5 to 7.         -   Length.—About 2.8 cm.         -   Width.—About 1.7 cm.         -   Shape.—Oblong.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Apical Whorl: Fused; Basal Whorl: Free.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Appearance.—Shiny.         -   Texture.—Silky, smooth, glabrous (both surfaces).         -   Color of upper surface (when opening).—Petals:             Purple-violet, RHS N80C; Petal Margin: Purple-violet, RHS             N80B; Tube: Purple-violet, RHS N80D.         -   Color of lower surface (when opening).—Petals:             Purple-violet, RHS N80C; Petal Margin: Purple-violet, RHS             N80B; Tube: Purple-violet, RHS N80D.         -   Color of upper surface (when fully opened).—Petals:             Purple-violet, RHS N80D; Petal Margin: Purple-violet, RHS             N80C; Tube: Purple-violet, RHS N80D.         -   Color of lower surface (when fully opened).—Petals:             Purple-violet, RHS N80D; Petal Margin: Purple-violet, RHS             N80C; Tube: Purple-violet, RHS N80D. -   Petaloids:     -   -   Quantity.—About 7 to 9.         -   Length.—About 2.5 cm.         -   Width.—About 1.2 cm.         -   Shape.—Oblong.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Fused.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture (both surfaces).—Silky.         -   Color.—Immature: Purple-violet, RHS N80B; Mature:             Purple-violet, RHS N80B. -   Sepals:     -   -   Quantity.—About 5.         -   Length.—About 1.0 cm.         -   Width.—About 1.0 cm.         -   Shape.—Ovate.         -   Apex.—Obtuse to rounded.         -   Base.—Truncate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture (both surfaces).—Glabrous.         -   Color (immature).—Upper surface: Purple-violet, RHS N80C;             margin: RHS N80B; Lower surface: Purple-violet, RHS N80C;             margin: RHS N80B.         -   Color (mature).—Upper surface: Purple-violet, RHS N80D;             margin: RHS N80D; Lower surface: Purple-violet, RHS N80D;             margin: RHS N80C. -   Reproductive organs: -   Androecium:     -   -   Stamen.—Quantity: Many (about 30 to 40), polyandrous,             phaneranherous (Obviously protruding), incurved. Some             filaments fused to perianth tube (connate). Length: About             45 mm. Color: White, RHS 155D.         -   Anther.—Shape: Basifixed, ovoid. Length: About 1 mm. Color:             Light yellow, RHS 11D.         -   Filament.—Length: About 40 to 45 mm. Color: White, RHS 155D,             translucent.         -   Pollen.—Amount: Abundant. Color: Light yellow, RHS 11D. -   Gynoecium:     -   -   Pistil.—Quantity: 1. Shape: Slightly curved. Length: About             50 mm.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Initially ovoid, opening to claw-like shape.             Color: Red-purple, RHS N74A.         -   Style.—Length: About 55 mm. Color: Red-purple, RHS N74A.         -   Ovary.—Shape: Angular. Length: About 4 to 5 mm. Width: About             3 mm. Color: Yellow-green, RHS 144A. -   Seeds/fruit: None observed. -   Disease/pest resistance: No test for disease/pest resistance have     been performed yet. -   Disease/pest susceptibility: No test for disease/pest resistance     have been performed yet. -   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 2° C.     and to a high temperature about 40° C. 

1. A new and distinct Schlumbergera plant named ‘THOR-PANDORA’, as illustrated and described herein. 